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The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is pleased to announce that the second annual Incarcerated Scholars Conference (ISC) will be held virtually October 21-22, 2025. The theme that will frame this year’s conference is Pathways to Possibility. We invite students and alumni of higher education in prison programs who are currently incarcerated to contribute to our conference by submitting a presentation proposal. We also invite incarcerated artists to submit their creative works for consideration (you do not have to be a current or former student to participate in this portion of the conference).
The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is pleased to announce that the second annual Incarcerated Scholars Conference (ISC) will be held virtually October 21-22, 2025. The theme that will frame this year’s conference is Pathways to Possibility. We invite students and alumni of higher education in prison programs who are currently incarcerated to contribute to our conference by submitting a presentation proposal. We also invite incarcerated artists to submit their creative works for consideration (you do not have to be a current or former student to participate in this portion of the conference).
Registration is now open for ISC! This virtual conference will feature presentations by currently incarcerated scholars who will share their insights on the value, methods, and future of higher education in prison. Join us in centering the voices and experiences of incarcerated students in our field.
Registration is now open for ISC! This virtual conference will feature presentations by currently incarcerated scholars who will share their insights on the value, methods, and future of higher education in prison. Join us in centering the voices and experiences of incarcerated students in our field.
With the reinstatement of federal Pell Grant funding for students who are incarcerated in June 2023, research, advocacy, education, and correctional organizations are all reexamining how higher education in prison is provided and, especially, how its impact and success are measured. A major question for the field is taking shape: what does equitable access to quality instruction look like in this context? How can prison education programs fulfill their obligation to provide their students with an educational experience that is as close as possible to the one of students on main campuses?
With the reinstatement of federal Pell Grant funding for students who are incarcerated in June 2023, research, advocacy, education, and correctional organizations are all reexamining how higher education in prison is provided and, especially, how its impact and success are measured. A major question for the field is taking shape: what does equitable access to quality instruction look like in this context? How can prison education programs fulfill their obligation to provide their students with an educational experience that is as close as possible to the one of students on main campuses?
A curated and collaborative professional development program designed to enhance the skills of Prison Education Program educators, staff, and stakeholders through content rich lecture modules, hands-on activities, and group discussions. Fill out an interest form today!
A curated and collaborative professional development program designed to enhance the skills of Prison Education Program educators, staff, and stakeholders through content rich lecture modules, hands-on activities, and group discussions. Fill out an interest form today!
Ithaka S+R is exploring how colleges and community-based organizations partner to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated students. This report consolidates findings from our landscape research and is intended to help provide an overview of the field of college and community partnerships for student reentry, present case studies of notable partnership arrangements and programs, and offer preliminary findings from research in progress on how colleges and community organizations can best work together to serve students who will be reintegrating or are formerly incarcerated.
Ithaka S+R is exploring how colleges and community-based organizations partner to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated students. This report consolidates findings from our landscape research and is intended to help provide an overview of the field of college and community partnerships for student reentry, present case studies of notable partnership arrangements and programs, and offer preliminary findings from research in progress on how colleges and community organizations can best work together to serve students who will be reintegrating or are formerly incarcerated.
Unlocked Labs offers tech education in corrections facilities and creates pathways to quality jobs for people who are incarcerated. Three Unlocked program participants say these opportunities have helped them succeed.
Unlocked Labs offers tech education in corrections facilities and creates pathways to quality jobs for people who are incarcerated. Three Unlocked program participants say these opportunities have helped them succeed.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in a federal lawsuit that claims Delaware fails to provide special education services to incarcerated students.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in a federal lawsuit that claims Delaware fails to provide special education services to incarcerated students.
This toolkit provides justice-impacted students, faculty, and staff with important resources in navigating higher education. Although much of the toolkit is specific to George Mason University, it can serve as a model for other academic institutions and contains additional relevant resources.
This toolkit provides justice-impacted students, faculty, and staff with important resources in navigating higher education. Although much of the toolkit is specific to George Mason University, it can serve as a model for other academic institutions and contains additional relevant resources.
Stateville Correctional Center must relocate the majority of its population by the end of the month due to health and security concerns. While advocates have been waiting for the dilapidated facility to be shut down, concerns over abrupt transfers and uncertainty around the future of prison education projects in Illinois loom. Reset learns more about the power and pain that come with prison education initiatives, how educators are adjusting to Staveille’s closure and how people can advocate for students behind bars.
Stateville Correctional Center must relocate the majority of its population by the end of the month due to health and security concerns. While advocates have been waiting for the dilapidated facility to be shut down, concerns over abrupt transfers and uncertainty around the future of prison education projects in Illinois loom. Reset learns more about the power and pain that come with prison education initiatives, how educators are adjusting to Staveille’s closure and how people can advocate for students behind bars.
Rockwood is proud to announce our inaugural 2024 Fellowship for Leaders in Higher Education in Prison, in partnership with Ascendium. This brand-new Fellowship was created to deepen the pipeline of formerly incarcerated leaders in the sector by centering the justice-impacted leaders advancing change. Bringing together 24 leaders nationwide engaged in Higher Education in Prison initiatives, the Fellowship will increase leadership capacity, strengthen relationships within and across the sector, and create fertile grounds for leaders to engage in powerfully collaborative and interconnected ways.
Rockwood is proud to announce our inaugural 2024 Fellowship for Leaders in Higher Education in Prison, in partnership with Ascendium. This brand-new Fellowship was created to deepen the pipeline of formerly incarcerated leaders in the sector by centering the justice-impacted leaders advancing change. Bringing together 24 leaders nationwide engaged in Higher Education in Prison initiatives, the Fellowship will increase leadership capacity, strengthen relationships within and across the sector, and create fertile grounds for leaders to engage in powerfully collaborative and interconnected ways.
Sustaining and expanding high-quality higher education in prison (HEP) programs requires collaborative, statewide policymaking. Stakeholders in this field must work closely with state policymakers to advance legislative action plans that foster program success and support students. Illinois policy developments highlight the importance of cooperation across programs and strategic engagement with legislators and state officials.
Sustaining and expanding high-quality higher education in prison (HEP) programs requires collaborative, statewide policymaking. Stakeholders in this field must work closely with state policymakers to advance legislative action plans that foster program success and support students. Illinois policy developments highlight the importance of cooperation across programs and strategic engagement with legislators and state officials.
On June 7, 2024, Trellis Foundation was honored to partner with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison to convene stakeholders from across Texas—joined by colleagues from across the country—to plan what that future of economic mobility and opportunity for incarcerated individuals and our state can look like and what it will look like if we do it with intentionality and build pathways to success across the units and geography of our state.
On June 7, 2024, Trellis Foundation was honored to partner with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison to convene stakeholders from across Texas—joined by colleagues from across the country—to plan what that future of economic mobility and opportunity for incarcerated individuals and our state can look like and what it will look like if we do it with intentionality and build pathways to success across the units and geography of our state.
The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the 14th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison, which will take place on April 10-11, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme that will frame this year’s NCHEP is, A New Era? Pell Reinstatement and the Future of Prison Education.
The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is excited to announce the Call for Proposals for the 14th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison, which will take place on April 10-11, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme that will frame this year’s NCHEP is, A New Era? Pell Reinstatement and the Future of Prison Education.
Since 2017, the Ivy League institution has given practical STEM experience and mentorship to students impacted by the criminal justice system.
Since 2017, the Ivy League institution has given practical STEM experience and mentorship to students impacted by the criminal justice system.
Ascendium Senior Program Officer Molly Lasagna and Program Officer Ashley Parker share insights on the challenges and opportunities in postsecondary education in prison, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems to ensure incarcerated learners can fully benefit from educational opportunities.
Ascendium Senior Program Officer Molly Lasagna and Program Officer Ashley Parker share insights on the challenges and opportunities in postsecondary education in prison, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems to ensure incarcerated learners can fully benefit from educational opportunities.
The new rules (which went into effect July 1, 2024) strengthen the U.S. Department of Education’s ability to protect students and taxpayers from the negative effects of sudden college closures, restrict colleges from withholding course credits paid for with Federal money from students’ transcripts, and require colleges to clearly communicate to students how much financial aid they will receive—a common source of confusion and error.
The new rules (which went into effect July 1, 2024) strengthen the U.S. Department of Education’s ability to protect students and taxpayers from the negative effects of sudden college closures, restrict colleges from withholding course credits paid for with Federal money from students’ transcripts, and require colleges to clearly communicate to students how much financial aid they will receive—a common source of confusion and error.
Identifying and Scaling Programmatic Technical Assistance Resources in Higher Education in Prison is a new Request for Proposals (RFP) that invites HEP programs to propose a programmatic resource they currently use and believe could be refined and disseminated to help other HEP programs design and implement rigorous and equitable programs, especially those that address the highest leverage needs of students.
Identifying and Scaling Programmatic Technical Assistance Resources in Higher Education in Prison is a new Request for Proposals (RFP) that invites HEP programs to propose a programmatic resource they currently use and believe could be refined and disseminated to help other HEP programs design and implement rigorous and equitable programs, especially those that address the highest leverage needs of students.
With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to invest in current and future leaders in the criminal justice field to advance priority national policy issues and offer cross-developmental opportunities for Department of Justice (DOJ) staff and criminal justice practitioners and researchers. Application closes in late July.
With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to invest in current and future leaders in the criminal justice field to advance priority national policy issues and offer cross-developmental opportunities for Department of Justice (DOJ) staff and criminal justice practitioners and researchers. Application closes in late July.
With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to support new and innovative strategies for preventing and reducing crime, improving community safety, and strengthening criminal justice system outcomes. Application closes in August.
With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to support new and innovative strategies for preventing and reducing crime, improving community safety, and strengthening criminal justice system outcomes. Application closes in August.
"The First Year of Pell Restoration: A Snapshot of Quality, Equity, and Scale in Prison Education Programs" offers a look of the national progress toward implementation after Pell Grant restoration on July 1, 2023.
"The First Year of Pell Restoration: A Snapshot of Quality, Equity, and Scale in Prison Education Programs" offers a look of the national progress toward implementation after Pell Grant restoration on July 1, 2023.
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In May, the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
In May, the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
Join us for Q&A sessions about the upcoming Incarcerated Scholars Conference!
Join us for Q&A sessions about the upcoming Incarcerated Scholars Conference!
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The National Conference for Higher Education will be moved to Spring 2025 to make space for the Incarcerated Scholars Conference (ISC). While ISC will be virtual and exclusively feature presentations from currently incarcerated scholars, NCHEP will remain in-person and join together students, practitioners, and community members from across the county.
The National Conference for Higher Education will be moved to Spring 2025 to make space for the Incarcerated Scholars Conference (ISC). While ISC will be virtual and exclusively feature presentations from currently incarcerated scholars, NCHEP will remain in-person and join together students, practitioners, and community members from across the county.
For the second year in a row, W.W. Norton & Co. is committing to the donation of an unprecedented number of books directly to higher education in prison programs nationwide through the Prison Education Book Connection. This partnership resulted in 4,750 textbook donations to 31 HEP programs in 22 states in total!
For the second year in a row, W.W. Norton & Co. is committing to the donation of an unprecedented number of books directly to higher education in prison programs nationwide through the Prison Education Book Connection. This partnership resulted in 4,750 textbook donations to 31 HEP programs in 22 states in total!
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Higher Education in Prison programs are welcome to apply for book donations from W.W. Norton for their upcoming classes. Applications close November 20!
Higher Education in Prison programs are welcome to apply for book donations from W.W. Norton for their upcoming classes. Applications close November 20!
After welcoming our inaugural 2023 - 2024 Alliance Fellows, we revisit their work and contributions as members of the Alliance team in a six month fellowship update!
After welcoming our inaugural 2023 - 2024 Alliance Fellows, we revisit their work and contributions as members of the Alliance team in a six month fellowship update!
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We are now accepting applications for NCHEP volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are integral members of the conference and can support in a variety of roles including, tech support for incarcerated presenters, session logistics, panel moderation, and registration. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our application. We will be in contact in the coming months with more information and volunteer assignments.
We are now accepting applications for NCHEP volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are integral members of the conference and can support in a variety of roles including, tech support for incarcerated presenters, session logistics, panel moderation, and registration. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our application. We will be in contact in the coming months with more information and volunteer assignments.
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Second Chance Education Alliance, Prison-to-Professionals and FICGN are investigating the impact of test-optional policies on justice-impacted BIPOC students in higher education.
Second Chance Education Alliance, Prison-to-Professionals and FICGN are investigating the impact of test-optional policies on justice-impacted BIPOC students in higher education.
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To celebrate W.W. Norton & Company’s Centenary, the book publishers committed to donating books directly to higher education in prison programs across the country. This past spring, Norton partnered with the Alliance to solicit book requests. This partnership has resulted in 4,411 textbook donations to 35 HEP programs in 17 states.
To celebrate W.W. Norton & Company’s Centenary, the book publishers committed to donating books directly to higher education in prison programs across the country. This past spring, Norton partnered with the Alliance to solicit book requests. This partnership has resulted in 4,411 textbook donations to 35 HEP programs in 17 states.
We welcome discourse and debate relating to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, coined “Cop City” by activists and organizers, at our conference. Members of our community have reached out with concerns about the conference location in Atlanta. We appreciate this feedback and we hopeall will continue this dialogue. The conference location will not move. However, we encourage all who travel to participate in NCHEP to engage thoughtfully with the history, city, and community of Atlanta.
We welcome discourse and debate relating to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, coined “Cop City” by activists and organizers, at our conference. Members of our community have reached out with concerns about the conference location in Atlanta. We appreciate this feedback and we hopeall will continue this dialogue. The conference location will not move. However, we encourage all who travel to participate in NCHEP to engage thoughtfully with the history, city, and community of Atlanta.
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